High-Speed Electro-Optical IC Engineer (RFIC Engineering)

SpaceX; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a High-Speed Electro-Optical IC Engineer (RFIC Engineering) in California to advance PIC/EIC for Starlink hardware and space-ground networks worldwide.

You will collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to design, simulate and verify drivers, TIAs and optical components using silicon photonics and CMOS processes, including layout and production testing.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of photonics or electro-optical IC design.
• Familiarity with optical building blocks such as MZM and Ge PDs.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze and simulate drivers for MZM and laser diodes
• Design, analyze and simulate TIAs and derive models for PDs
• Derive specifications for the entire electro-optical system and circuits
• Design and model package for electro-optical components and systems
• Develop Analog/Mixed-Signal/RF/Microwave circuits in SiGe, FDSOI, or silicon bulk CMOS processes
• Work with system architects, DSP/ASIC designers and PIC designers
• Perform IC floor planning and layout
• Simulate and model package and external discrete components
• Evaluate, characterize and measure electrical and optical building blocks
• Assist in automated test setups and test programs for production
• Work with manufacturing engineers on production testing and qualification

Skills

Silicon photonics

RFIC design

MZM drivers

TIAs

Analog/Mixed-Signal

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical/computer engineering

MS/PhD in electro-optics or photonics

Tools

Spectre

HFSS/Momentum

Ansys Lumerical

COMSOL

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal ofenabling human life on Mars.

HIGH-SPEED ELECTRO-OPTICAL IC ENGINEER (RFIC ENGINEERING)

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

We are seeking a motivated, proactive, and intellectually curious Electrical-optical Silicon photonics IC engineer who will work alongside world-class cross-disciplinary teams (systems, firmware, architecture, design, validation, product engineering). In this role, you will be developing cutting-edge next-generation PIC/EIC for deployment in space and ground infrastructures around the globe. These chips are enabling connectivity in places it has not previously been available, affordable or reliable. Join us to help deliver cutting-edge solutions that will expand the performance and capabilities of the Starlink network.

• Design, analyze and simulate drivers for MZM and laser diodes
• Design analyze and simulate TIAs and derive models for PDs (Ge Photo diodes)
• Derive specifications for the entire electro-optical system and circuits
• Design and model package for elecrto-optical components and systems
• Develop Analog/Mixed-Signal/RF/Microwave circuits in SiGe, FDSOI, or silicon bulk CMOS processes
• Work with system architects, DSP/ASIC designers and PIC designers to partition functions between hardware, software, and optical domains
• Perform IC floor planning and layout
• Simulate and model package and external discrete components
• Evaluate, characterize and measure electrical and optical building blocks of a high-speed optical link solution
• Assist in the development of automated test setups and test programs for production and lab measurements
• Work with manufacturing engineers on production testing and qualification of the EIC/PIC components and systems

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science
• 2+ years of photonics or electro-optical integrated circuit design

• Master's degree or PhD in physics, electrical engineering or computer engineering with an emphasis in electro-optics integrated circuit design
• Experience using simulation tools such as Spectre, ADS, HFSS or Momentum, Ansys Lumerical, COMSOL
• Understanding of silicon photonics designs, and familiarity with optical building blocks such as MZM and Microring modulators, Ge Photo diodes, dWDM filters, waveguides, couplers, dividers and polarization management circuitry
• Electrical circuit design skills for mmWave or broadband analog, and experience performing analysis and simulation of both linear and non-linear circuits such as high bandwidth modulator drivers, TIAs, CTLEs, filters, low noise and power amplifiers